# Bowler: Gift suggestions **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 31, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740 "2007-10-31T17:17:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/1 "2007-10-31T17:17:58Z")
My son is 13 years old and somewhat of a bowling phenom. He has _loved_ bowling since he was about five. At nine he joined a league. He has had lessons with a retired bowler, and it has helped. Over the summer he worked out in a football preparation camp. It was brutal, but he stuck with it. Once school started, he was planning on playing for the 7th grade team. Practices were going great. Then he realized that football would interfere with bowling, so he dropped football. Man, does he love bowling. Last night he was involved in an adult/child tourney. The adult was an 18 year old buddy of his, and he was the child. The two of them basically put on a show for everyone else. They each had over 600 for their three games. In their 3rd game, my son threw 8 consecutive strikes. When his 9th ball left the 10 pin standing, there was an audible “aawwwwww” from the spectators. Anyway, I’d like to get him a “good job” type gift. Any ideas? I guess a gift certificate for the pro shop is a safe bet, but any other thoughts? He has nice balls (and the jokes that go with that…he’s 13 after all), a cool bag, and good shoes. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/2 "2007-10-31T17:30:54Z")
Do you make him pay for his own games at the lanes? Certainly, you could get him a shitload of free games. It’s good he’s taking lessons. A bad bowling shot will last forever. Maybe another lesson, but that’s not really a “gift”. If he’s got shoes, balls and a bag, there’s really not a whole lot else. Maybe there’s a nice bowling coffee table book with cool bowling pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/3 "2007-10-31T17:32:50Z")
Bowling gifts. . . > **[Gifts](https://www.bowlersparadise.com/collections/gifts)** > > Shop for bowling gifts including bowling pins, bags, bottle openers at Bowlers Paradise. A One-stop shop for retailers & bowling lovers. Perfect gifts! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/4 "2007-10-31T18:01:49Z")
Perhaps a trip to a bowling tournament on a higher level than he’s been in? I assume he’d find it entertaining, but an out-of-town trip might be a treat in and of itself. He could touch base with some like-minded people, and might find it cool to meet a pro or semi-pro. On a grander level, a trip to the [International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/) is something to keep in mind. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/5 "2007-10-31T18:05:27Z")
[QUOTE=Trunk] Do you make him pay for his own games at the lanes? Certainly, you could get him a shitload of free games. It’s good he’s taking lessons. A bad bowling shot will last forever. Maybe another lesson, but that’s not really a “gift”. If he’s got shoes, balls and a bag, there’s really not a whole lot else. Maybe there’s a nice bowling coffee table book with cool bowling pictures. [/QUOTE] When I go the lanes with him, I pay. He pays for some out of his allowance. His coach from prior lessons hangs out at the lanes, and from time to time he does refresher type lessons. I was impressed by how much the coach stressed mental stuff. “In order to be a winner you have to think like a winner” type stuff that I would have laughed off, has really helped my son. 😃 A shitload of free games might only last him a month. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/6 "2007-10-31T18:07:05Z")
There’s also a [gift shop](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=IBMHF) at the museum. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/7 "2007-10-31T18:13:29Z")
[QUOTE=Gary T] Perhaps a trip to a bowling tournament on a higher level than he’s been in? I assume he’d find it entertaining, but an out-of-town trip might be a treat in and of itself. He could touch base with some like-minded people, and might find it cool to meet a pro or semi-pro. On a grander level, a trip to the [International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/) is something to keep in mind. [/QUOTE] A trip to St Louis is a great idea. We have done a few tournament trips, but they’ve been 3 to 5 hour drives. The museum’s gift shop is a great idea. Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/8 "2007-10-31T18:15:48Z")
I guess a DVD of Kingpin is out of the question. I would think a cool bowling shirt would a good gift. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/9 "2007-10-31T18:24:55Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] I guess a DVD of Kingpin is out of the question. I would think a cool bowling shirt would a good gift. [/QUOTE] _Kingpin_ is one of his favorite movies. I am a good dad, but not a great dad. He saw it first at my house a year ago.:eek: The shirt idea is a good one. He is suddenly (with puberty) sartorially aware. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/10 "2007-10-31T19:44:21Z")
[QUOTE=Gary T] There’s also a [gift shop](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=IBMHF) at the museum. [/QUOTE] Yeah! Bowling shot glass! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/11 "2007-10-31T19:57:15Z")
Maybe a vintage bowling shirt, from e-bay or something. A true classic. StG ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/12 "2007-10-31T20:03:29Z")
[This](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IBMHF&Product_Code=PLU+64&Category_Code=th) is classy. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/13 "2007-10-31T20:06:02Z")
[QUOTE=Gary T] On a grander level, a trip to the [International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/) is something to keep in mind. [/QUOTE] This is a great idea, and I’m glad you’re down with it, **vetbridge**. I’ve been twice and loved it. Particularly the opportunity to bowl on the lanes there, but the history and exhibits are very cool, too. When you say that you guys have traveled to tournaments, do you mean his own tournaments, or PBA tournaments? Having him bowl in a Pro-Am with the professionals should be a real treat for him if he hasn’t done it before, assuming he follows bowling on TV at all. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2007, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/14 "2007-11-01T10:31:30Z")
How about introducing him to the other type of bowling, one that requires strategy as well as technique: [Crown Green Bowling](http://www.bowls.org/)? 😃 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2007, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/15 "2007-11-01T13:22:49Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] [This](http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IBMHF&Product_Code=PLU+64&Category_Code=th) is classy. [/QUOTE] He would love it. But. [QUOTE=Asimovian] When you say that you guys have traveled to tournaments, do you mean his own tournaments, or PBA tournaments? Having him bowl in a Pro-Am with the professionals should be a real treat for him if he hasn’t done it before, assuming he follows bowling on TV at all. [/QUOTE] He has been to local/regional things that his league participates in. One is sponsored by Pepsi, I think. I’m going to ask around about the Pro-Am. [QUOTE=Quartz] How about introducing him to the other type of bowling, one that requires strategy as well as technique: [Crown Green Bowling](http://www.bowls.org/)? 😃 😃 [/QUOTE] hehe. From your link it took me 15 minutes of jumping all over before I figured out it was lawn bowling. From another site: > [@](#): > > Lawn bowls is a very old game that is played most of the world over. The object of the game is to get your bowls [which are biased so they’ll turn in a curve] closer to the jack [which is a small white sphere] than your opponents. Your team receives one point for each bowl closer to the jack than your opponent’s closest bowl. It sounds simple, don’t be deceived though, it is not. Biased balls? So, you roll a wobbly ball over grass. Kinda like when Italians play bocce(?), right? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/16 "2007-11-01T15:38:31Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] He has been to local/regional things that his league participates in. One is sponsored by Pepsi, I think. I’m going to ask around about the Pro-Am. [/QUOTE] Well, in the event it is helpful, [here is a link to the PBA schedule](http://www.pba.com/schedule/schedule.asp?season=55) for this season. Click on the link to whichever tournaments you might be interested in, and you’ll see the schedule of events for the tournament, including for the Pro-Ams, along with a link to the Pro-Am entry forms. I’m sure he will enjoy whatever you get him! ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/17 "2007-11-01T21:54:29Z")
I wouldn’t buy him any sort of equipment. Bowlers are ver particular about what they want. It’s kind of like how most guys know NOT to buy clothes for their GF/wives, cuz, ya’ know of course, us men have no taste for that sort of thing. But hey, he’s 13. I don’t know of a lot of 13yo who have a pocket full of cash. So I’d say buy him a butt-load of free games. It’s not like he wont use them. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2007, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bowler-gift-suggestions/424740/18 "2007-11-02T06:09:43Z")
Any chance of getting him a pin from the bowling alley where the tournament was? They do replace them sometimes. My son has one from the Pro-Am he bowled in, signed by the pro he bowled with. He thought it was pretty cool at the time, and he was about the same age as your guy.